Borrello says Benjamin did right thing stepping down, and comments on passing of Glenzer...
A local New York state lawmaker feels Brian Benjamin did the right think in resigning from the Lieutenant Governor's post. We heard Wednesday from Republican State Senator George Borrello... who says that Benjamin had no choice but to leave the state's second highest office. Borrello says Benjamin, by virtue of his office, was the president of the Senate... and, would have to preside over the chamber during the remainder of the session. However, he says that would have been difficult at best... adding that the allegations of federal election corruption are "very serious." Borrello says Governor Kathy Hochul may find it difficult to fill the position... given the fact it's already an election year. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is serving as lieutenant governor in an acting capacity.
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On another matter... the Sunset Bay Republican commented about the passing of former County Executive John Glenzer. Borrello considered Glenzer to be a mentor and a friend since he was a young man... adding that he worked on Glenzer's first campaign for executive while Borrello was in high school. Dr. Glenzer died last Sunday at the age of 91.
Reed announces first "Farewell" Town Halls next week, starting in Kiantone...
Chautauqua County's Congressman for the past decade has announced he will be hold a series of "Farewell" Town Hall meetings across the 23rd District. Corning Republican Tom Reed says his first town hall will be held next Tuesday, Apr. 19 at the Kiantone Fire Hall on the Stillwater-Frewsburg Road. The hour-long session will run from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and, Reed invites the public to join him for a time of "thoughtful discussion and reflection on the last 12 years." Reed was first elected to Congress in 2010... but, did not represent the county until 2012. During his time in Congress... Reed has held more than 200 town hall meeting across the huge, Southern Tier district. Two other Farewell Town Halls will be held later next week in Geneva and Corning.
Jamestown city lawmakers to vote on creating "Community Cats Program" at April voting session...
The city of Jamestown is teamming up with the Chautauqua County Humane Society to begin a Community Cats Program to hold down the cat population... and, keep them healthy. Humane Society Executive Director Kellie Roberts explained the program to the City Council this week... noting that the cats that dont's have an owner... and, can be either ferel, or tame. Roberts says lawmakers will act on a resolution to create the program later this month. She says it will set the rules for the program, which has taken time to get in place because -- until now, the organization had lacked the veterinary services that are needed. However... Roberts says they've made contact with "Operation Pets" in Clarence -- near Buffalo -- that will spay, neuter and vaccinate cats picked up, or turned over to the Humane Society. She says this will be for cats found in the city only. Cats from outside the city will continue to get veterinary services at the Humane Society itself. Roberts says the Humane Society will take the cats up to Operation Pets twice a month to have those service provided.
Pomfret man arrested for alleged altercation in the north county town...
A north county man has been arrested on multiple charges after allegedly getting into an altercation with two other people at a town of Pomfret home Monday night. Sheriff's officers and State Police troopers responded to a call of a disorderly person at a Berry Road residence just after 10 p.m. Deputies say they learned that 25 year-old Cody Rodman of Pomfret had gotten into a fight with the two people. Rodman was taken into custody and taken to Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk for an evaluation. He was released from the hospitali a short time later... and, taken to the county jail for centralized arraignment on charges of second-degree strangulation... second-degree unlawful imprisonment... and, second-degree aggravated harassment. He was issued appearance tickets for Pomfret Town Court at a later date.
Forestville woman sentenced to jail time, probation and restitution in elder scam...
A Forestville woman has been sentenced to jail time for scamming elderly customers in Erie County. Erie County District Attorney John Flynn says 37-year-old Breanna Rohauer was sentenced by State Supreme Court Justice Paul Wojtaszek to 30 days in jail followed by 5 years probation. Rohauer, while employed at a local bank in the town of Hamburg, admitted to making numerous unauthorized withdrawals from the bank accounts of several elderly customers. She was accused of stealing more than $124,000 in fraudulent transactions between mid-November of 2017 and early February of 2019.
City to resume annual Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday...
Jamestown's 74th Easter Egg Hunt will be this Saturday at 11 a.m. at Allen Park. The traditional style hunt hasn't been possible the last couple of years because of COVID-19. City Parks Manager Dan Stone says bringing it back is 'awesome' and they really want the kids to come, and hunt for the eggs -- especially the prize ones. Stone recommends using East Virginia Boulevard or Springdale Avenue to get into the park, as West Virginia Boulevard will be shut down. Each of the three age groups will hunt in separate areas with the youngest kids (1-4 yoa) by the pavillion kitchen area... and, the older ones 5 through 12 years of age... will be across the street near the baseball field and basketball courts. In case of rain, Stone says the hunt will be moved to dry ground.
